Sali calls for substantial participation by candidate countries from the outset of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience

North Macedonia is calling for candidate countries to be substantially involved in the European Centre for Democratic Resilience from its inception. According to a statement from the Ministry of European Affairs, this position was presented by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Bekim Sali during a working breakfast held on the sidelines of the Council of the European Union’s General Affairs Council.

In his remarks, Sali described democratic resilience as an already essential element of European security. He pointed out that both EU member states and candidate countries face the same threats: information manipulation by foreign actors, cyberattacks, and pressure on independent media and civil society.

The minister said that preparations for substantial participation at the national level had begun. The Ministry of Justice has been entrusted with the role of coordinating institution, while contact points have also been appointed to communicate with the Centre’s Secretariat. According to Sali, North Macedonia does not aim merely to benefit from this initiative, but also to make an active contribution by sharing its experience in addressing hybrid threats.

Participation in the Centre would provide North Macedonia with faster access to European assessments of threats, early-warning systems, expertise and operational networks. It would also strengthen the country’s capacity to combat disinformation, develop strategic communications and improve cybersecurity, alongside support for independent media and civil society. This would also help advance reforms in the fundamental areas of the membership process.

Concluding his remarks, Sali called for stronger cooperation between the European Union and the Western Balkans. He stressed that when candidate countries are involved early in European instruments, enlargement becomes a tangible contribution to Europe’s security, democracy and unity./Telegrafi/